English · KJV
H2115

זוּר

zûwr /zoor/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root (compare צוֹק)
Meaningto press together, tighten
KJV usageclose, rush, thrust together.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of zûwr — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word zûwr, represented by H2115, is a primitive root meaning to press together, tighten; close, rush, thrust together. It appears 4 times across 3 unique verses in the Bible. While rare, its usage vividly illustrates different applications of pressure, from the gentle closing of a wound to a forceful crushing action.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its biblical occurrences, H2115 is used to convey distinct types of pressing or closing. In Isaiah's lament over Judah's spiritual state, their wounds and sores "have not been closed" Isaiah 1:6, using the word to signify the first step in a healing process that has been neglected. A more forceful application is seen in the story of Gideon, who "thrust the fleece together" to wring out the dew, demonstrating a direct physical manipulation Judges 6:38. Finally, in the book of Job, the word describes a destructive pressure, where an animal forgets that a foot might "crush" its eggs Job 39:15.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words clarify the contexts in which H2115 is found:

  • H2280 châbash (to bind up): Used in the same list of neglected treatments in Isaiah 1:6, it refers to the act of wrapping a wound firmly, which would follow the action of it being closed H2115.
  • H4680 mâtsâh (to squeeze out): This action is paired directly with H2115 in Judges 6:38, where Gideon first thrusts the fleece together and then wringed it, highlighting two connected actions of applying pressure to extract liquid.
  • H1758 dûwsh (to trample or thresh): In Job 39:15, the fear is that a wild beast may break the eggs, which parallels the danger of a foot that may crush H2115 them, emphasizing a theme of destruction under pressure.

Theological Significance

The conceptual weight of H2115 is found in its specific, tangible applications.

  • Symbol of Neglected Healing: In Isaiah 1:6, the failure to have wounds closed is a potent symbol of spiritual and national decay. It describes a state so corrupt, from the "sole of the foot even unto the head," that the most basic steps toward restoration have not been taken.
  • Tangible Evidence: Gideon's act of thrusting the fleece together Judges 6:38 is a physical gesture to receive a sign from God. The resulting pressure produces a bowl of water, transforming a divine promise into a concrete, measurable reality.
  • Consequence of Forgetfulness: Job 39:15 uses the word to illustrate a principle of the natural world: inattention leads to destruction. The animal that forgetteth H7911 that a foot can crush H2115 its young represents the fragility of life and the severe consequences of neglect.

Summary

In summary, H2115 is a focused term for applying pressure, but its meaning shifts dramatically with context. It can represent the tender start of healing, the practical force needed to manipulate an object, or the destructive weight that ends life. Though used only a few times, zûwr provides powerful imagery for themes of spiritual sickness, divine confirmation, and the unforgiving laws of the natural world.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 4 occurrences, inflected in 4 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • זֹרוּ
  • יָּזַר
  • תְּזוּרֶ
  • זּוּרֶה

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H2280 חָבַשׁ a primitive root; to wrap firmly (especially a turban, compress, or saddle); figuratively, to stop, to rule; bind (up), H4680 מָצָה a primitive root; to suck out; by implication, to drain, to squeeze out; suck, wring (out). H1758 דּוּשׁ or דּוֹשׁ; or דִּישׁ; a primitive root; to trample or thresh; break, tear, thresh, tread out (down), at grass (Jeremiah H7911 שָׁכַח or שָׁכֵחַ; a primitive root; to mislay, i.e. to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention; [idiom] at all, (cau

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 3 verses across 3 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Judges, Job, and Isaiah (1 verse each); never once in the other 36.

1
Judges
1
Job
1
Isaiah

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.